6th week of OT 2020 - Monday - Undergoing trials joyfully

Up until Ash Wednesday, our weekday readings will be taken from the Letter of St. James. As indicated by its opening verses, which we heard today, James is writing to a group of Christians undergoing trials in the faith—various trials. Some of those trials for James’ original audience included persecution from outsiders—from non-Christians, but James also addresses some strong tensions within the Christian community—gossip, favoritism, and factions were creating internal strife.

“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James’ words here are universally applicable to every Christian. For trial—suffering—is an inevitable part of life. Sickness, poverty, abandonment, grief, temptation, pressure from family or neighbor to hide our faith, just to name a few.

“Consider it joy” James says, when you face these things. Take the view that these things can strengthen you. View these things in light of God’s plan for your soul. That’s not always easy. We aren’t always thinking about God when we are suffering, but we should, says James. We need to adopt the perspective of viewing all things in light of God’s plan, and see the good that God can bring out of the evils we suffer.

For James, faith means more than belief in God; faith means a life lived in fidelity, commitment, and truth; an interior commitment to God expressed in concrete behaviors. We are to consider it joy when we face trials because here is an opportunity to commit to God, and that commitment brings perfection, wisdom, the ability to withstand greater trials in the future.

We do well to identify, in what areas of our life do we need greater faith? What sufferings, what trials, do we need to undergo with greater faith—greater trust? Where have failed to see the hand of God working in my life? How can I undergo my sufferings more joyfully—for the glory of God and salvation of souls?
 
- - - - - - - -


That Christians undergoing any sort of trial, may joyfully unite their sufferings to Christ and persevere in faith.

For Bishop Perez, as he is installed as Archbishop of Philadelphia tomorrow, for blessings upon his ministry, and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance to direct the appointment of a new Bishop for the Church of Cleveland.

That young people may seek Christ amidst all the perversions and distractions of the world, and for the protection of innocent human life from evil.

For healing for all those suffering disease, especially diseases without known cures, for the people of China and all people afflicted by the Coronavirus, and all who are oppressed by any kind of need, that the Lord may graciously grant them relief, and For the Holy Father’s prayer intentions for this month: that the needs of migrants and victims of human trafficking may be heard and acted upon.

For the dead, for all of the souls in purgatory, and for X, for whom this Holy mass is offered.
O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you are the source of all goodness, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith, we may truly obtain. Through Christ our Lord.